Dr. Dortch's Third Grade
Walls Elementary

Dear Parents,

What a beautiful week this has turned out to be! Our walk to KSU is so much more pleasant when it is sunny and warm. Students are working with the Lego We Dos to find out more about simple machines and the transfer of force as they build different amazing mechanisms.  Dancing Birds focused on pulleys and belts. Students discovered that the size of the pulley affects speed. They also learned that they could change the direction of the birds by crossing and uncrossing the belt. Smart Spinner looked at how changing the size of gears makes the top spin longer and faster. It is hard to believe that this is the end of our fourth week and we only have 9 more mornings at the Ameritech Classroom.

We have started a new unit in math on data collection and graphing. Students have been working on categorizing data into groups that can then be organized into a bar graph.

Remember next Thursday is an early release day and there is no school next Friday.

I hope you have a great weekend and are able to enjoy the great weather! Thanks for all you do at home to help your child be successful at school.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dortch

September 30, 2011

Dear Parents,

We have just completed our first three weeks at the Ameritech Classroom. What a wonderful learning experience! We finished up our study of nutrition by comparing what we eat to government guidelines for a healthy diet. Students learned what a serving size is and how many servings they need to eat from each food group everyday. We checked out our favorite cereals by reading the labels online. We looked to see what vitamins and nutrients are in it as well as how much sugar was included in a serving. Students had to decide if it was a healthy breakfast choice. We also created recipes for smoothies to create our own class cookbook. 

Students researched the digestive system to find out what happens to food after we swallow it. We made claymations about the digestive system and wrote our own narration to go with the claymation videos. Last each student created a power point slide show to showcase student learning. The culminating activity for our study of nutrition was a visit with a nutritionist at Nixon Hall. Mrs. Siler showed students how to clean and cook fruits and vegetables such as spaghetti squash, mango, and pomegranate. She made fruit smoothies and introduced students to new fruits such as figs. Students also learned what a nutritionist does.

We began our study of Force and Motion.  Students learned about force by making spinners.  They found that force is either a push or a pull. Students searched the Ameritech classroom for things that require either a push or a pull to do work. They took pictures of them using an I Pad and then shared with the group. Next we researched simple machines and explored different rooms in a virtual house for examples of them to learn more about how they work. This weekend students will be taking home an I Touch pad to photograph examples of simple machines in and around their homes. We will share them on Monday.

I hope you have a relaxing weekend with your family.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dortch

Dear Parents,

The correct testing date for the OAA Reading Test for third grade is Tuesday, October 4th, 2011 not Monday, October 3rd. Thanks! Dr. Dortch

September 22nd, 2011

Dear Parents,

Monday, October 3^rd, 2011 is the date for our fall Ohio Achievement Assessment in reading. The purpose of this test is to collect base line data about your child as a reader. The results of this test will be compared with scores on the Spring OAA to see what kind of growth your child has made as a reader. You can help your child do his or her best by making sure he or she gets a good night’s sleep and has a healthy breakfast in the morning.

Testing will start promptly at9:00 a.m.Please be sure to be on time. Once the test booklets are passed out, no one is allowed to enter the classroom. Students who arrive to school late on Monday will have to sit in the office until the testing is completed. A make-up test will be given at a later date.

 Students are asked to bring a healthy snack and to have two sharpened #2 pencils to use during the test. I will have extra snacks and pencils on hand. Students will be asked to read silently if they finish early – until all the tests have been collected. The test is about two and ½ hours long. Your child is encouraged to bring a favorite book from home to read for this purpose.

Thank you for all you do at home to help your child be successful at school.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dortch

September 9, 2011

Dear Parents,

It was nice to see so many of you last night at KentState’s Ameritech Classroom. Our visit begins this Monday, September 12^th and lasts until Friday, October 21^st. We will be walking to Moulton Hall every morning at9:30 and returning to Walls at11:35 in time for lunch recess. Students need to dress for the weather. Some days may be cold and rainy. Students will need to wear warm jackets and bring umbrellas. The walk each way will take about 15 minutes.

Two permission forms are coming home today in your child’s homework folder. You need to sign both of them. One is to give permission for your child to participate in the program and the other gives permission for your child to be videotaped and any work samples to be used for research purposes. Your child will never be identified by name. The purpose of the project is to help teach pre-service teachers learn how to integrate technology into their instruction.  I hope that you will send the forms in on Monday, September 12^th. They must be turned in by Wednesday, September 14^th in order for your child to continue in the program.

Thank you to Dillinger’s Mother for volunteering to help out on Mondays. If you are interested in volunteering please call me at school or send in a note. Extra hands are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for sharing your child with me! I hope you having a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Dortch

September 2, 2011

Dear Parents,

This coming Thursday, September 8^th, you and your third grade child will have an opportunity to learn more about the Ameritech Classroom atKentState. The meeting will run from5:30 to6:30 p.m. Mrs. Singer, our new principal, Dr. Kratcoski, from the Ameritech Classroom, and I will be there to answer any questions you may have about what your child will be learning. It is also an opportunity for students to become familiar with their new classroom setting. I hope that you will be available to join us. Parking is free in the Rockwell Parking Lot.  It is located at the corner of State Route 59 andLincoln Street.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dortch

August 31, 2011

Dear Parents,

Please remember that there will be an opportunity for you to visit the Ameritech Classroom at Moulton Hall on the Kent State University campus. You and your family will  learn more about the Ameritech Classroom on Thursday, September 8^th, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Parking is free in the Rockwell Lot for those who attend. Mrs. Singer, Dr. Kratcoski from the Ameritech Classroom, and I are looking forward to showing you what your children will be working on for the next six weeks. We can answer any questions you may have at that time. I hope to see all of you there! Sincerely, Dr. Dortch

“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught.” Baba Dioum

August 23, 2011

Dear Parents,

WELCOME TO SUPPLY NIGHT!

        This year Walls Elementary is trying out a new schedule. A copy of our class schedule is enclosed in your handout and is also on my blog. Specials will be on a six day rotation. Our specials at third grade will be every morning from8:50to9:30for the first grading period. For the remainder of the year, our specials will be from10:05to10:45. This change was made to accommodate our participation inKentState’s ATT Classroom.

       We will begin Music on Wednesday with Mrs. Pansmith. Our lunch schedule starts with recess outside (weather permitting) at11:35. Lunch in the gym is from11:55to12:15.  A lunch menu is also enclosed in the handout.

       Third graders will have a second recess in the afternoon from1:55to2:15. I encourage you to send a healthy snack to school with your child to enjoy at this time. I keep graham crackers in my room for students who do not have a snack and are hungry.

       I look forward to working with your child this year! Thank you for sharing him or her with me.

Sincerely,

 Dr. Dortch

SCHEDULE 2011-2012

DR. DORTCH THIRD GRADE